The Coronation came and went with seemingly the only news legacy, a week later, whether the Metropolitan Police over stepped the mark by hauling off the Republican malcontents before they could kick off and be a pain on early morning American TV coverage. The Westminster Abbey ceremony was simply archaic, irrelevant to the 21^st century, albeit fascinating and beautifully presented. This ceremony was about assuming the enormous responsibility for his subjects but our monarchy was emasculated in the 17^th century in terms of power and whilst nominally the head of the legislature it’s just a ceremonial matter nowadays.

Don’t get me wrong I felt the Queen was a vital and impressive national unifying figure who I’d known all my life. Her departure was bound to throw up questions of relevance. I think Charles was ahead of the game by reducing the ranks of Royals to a senior core. Also I like the marketing of the family in a leadership role of promoting community, unity and service. On the latter that is beyond question and the King and Princess Royal have done immense good over their tenure.

It’s to be expected that the Commonwealth will change from containing countries that are ‘subjects’ to a loose band of nations with bonds forged out of colonial occupation, bloodshed, white emigration, immigration to the UK, dependency and economics. Somehow hauling out ever again gilded horse drawn carriages and wearing crowns will look plainly weird. Like most then I wouldn’t raise a finger to displace the monarchy and their retinue but I am not overly engaged with it.

Since Australia and New Zealand life has been inevitably busy before more holidays and tour guide jobs. The garden due to a combination of rain and heat exploded and brought into play my only gardening skill: cutting things down and putting them into the recycling bin or behind a hedge (where no one can see it all).  My other outdoor skill of painting fences came into play and myself and Cuprinol’s Rustic Brown became reacquainted for several hours.

Outings included some guide training in the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds Tony, really? Yes I know, heaven knows how I got lured down there to have to drive a small bus and bike trailer through busy Bath. In the party will be twenty Americans which should provide some comedy gold for the blog although they may know the area better than me. The Mighty Jessney through his celebrity as the voice of the blues on Vixen 101 got tickets five rows from the front at the Arena in Leeds to see Joe Bonamassa. Upholding his rock n’ roll lifestyle when asked to present ID whilst collecting his ‘guest list’ tickets he flashed his bus pass! The concert was magic nevertheless.

Another wonderful day was spent at Lords for some cricket with two very old college (Ealing Technical College ’73 and ’74) friends. John is a member of the MCC and this enabled us to wander around the ground; to the areas that the great unwashed seldom get access to. I had be washed for the day and was instructed to wear a jacket and tie. Such sartorial elegance is usually reserved for wedding and funerals. I can now add first class cricket. We picnicked and whilst John unpopped the fizz to go with his smoked salmon sandwiches Kevin revealed enough cheese for all four days of the game. I’d brought pork pies. In our reminiscing about old times and our shared digs the disappointment was palpable that no one could remember the landlady’s cat’s name. (Mind you what do you expect at our age.) Mrs B force fed this moggy choice cuts of meat and the suspicion is that as the animal’s joints started to seize it was due to his indulgent diet.

Lastly there are a number of things that make me spit. This includes the Favourite Eldest and my first wife. They insisted I produce a wad to send off to Ancestry.com as part of a DNA test. Anna has done a deep dive into her and my family’s lineage and it’s fascinating. Anyway added to all this is that there are a lot of nations and ethnicities I need to refrain from being rude about in future.